UAAP

ABS-CBN Sports on Mar 10, 2017 06:51 PM

Jho Maraguinot of Ateneo de Manila demonstrated the passion, dedication and vivacity that PLDT Home brand encourages among the young and active generation.

Ateneo de Manila University is currently leading the pack with an impressive performance in the first round of eliminations in the 79th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.

Despite losing their biggest star last season, third year player Jho Maraguinot made sure the Katipunan-based squad is in good hands with her leading the current crop of blue-blooded volleybelles.

The third year hitter and PLDT Home’s newest brand ambassador is already spreading her wings to fill in the void left by three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Alyssa Valdez.

Her leadership, energy and fierceness inside the court best exemplified Ateneo’s ‘heartstrong’ mantra.

Maraguinot, a recruit from De La Salle Lipa, showcased her scoring prowess to help the Lady Eagles soar high with six wins against a lone loss at the close of first round.

Averaging 10.14 points per game, the 21-year-old hitter is second in the scoring department for the Lady Eagles. She is third in the team’s attack efficiency with 34.41%.

Maraguinot, who in Season 78 was Ateneo’s second leading scorer behind Valdez with 10.64 points per game average, played her biggest game in the Lady Eagles sweep of the then unbeaten University of the Philippines.

Coming off a three-point outing, the Alitagtag, Batangas native dropped 11 points all from attacks to silence the Lady Maroons and in the process earned her ABS-CBN Sports’ Player of the Week.

In the most awaited rematch against their archrival defending champion De La Salle University, Maraguinot stepped back to give her teammates the time to shine.

She may have been limited to only five points in that match but her role as a leader and catalyst that kept the team together in front of great adversity where the Lady Eagles needed to come back from two set point disadvantages earned her high respect from her peers.

“Her leadership inside the court greatly helped us (win the match),” said third year Ateneo middle blocker Bea De Leon.

Maraguinot truly demonstrated the passion, dedication and vivacity that PLDT Home brand encourages among the young and active generation.

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For more of your favorite stars, catch the UAAP Season 79 women's volleyball tournament every Wednesday, Sunday and Saturday live on S+A, S+A HD channel 166 and via livestream.